Sambiloto, the Herbal Plant with Anti-HIV Properties

JAKARTA, NNC - Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that causes AIDS by attacking white blood cells in the form of CD4 (one type of white blood cells) that can damage the immune system.

Existing treatment can prolong the life of HIV patients and they can live a healthy lifestyle.

There are drugs that are known by the name of antiretroviral (ARV) which serves to inhibit the virus in damaging the immune system. The drugs are administered in the form of tablets consumed daily.

"You will be advised to do a healthy lifestyle, such as healthy food, not smoking, getting an annual flu vaccine, and five-year pneumococcal vaccine," said Dr. Basaria Margaretha Lumbangaol, M. Kes, HIV consultant for the Asia region at the United Evangelical Mission.

It aims to reduce the risk of dangerous diseases. Without treatment, people with HIV-infected immune system will drop dramatically. And they tend to suffer life-threatening diseases such as cancer.

This is known as late-stage HIV or AIDS. Therefore, he suggests that patients undergo healthy lifestyle and patterns, avoiding activities that increase the risk of contracting HIV such as unprotected sex with multiple partners, injecting drug use, and tattooing or piercing with non-sterile tools.

Basaria recommends that people take advantage of herbal plants to increase endurance and immunity.

"In the Journal of Bioscience 2015 titled Antiviral and Immunostimulant Activites of Andrographis paniculata, it is mentioned that Sambiloto (Andrographis paniculata) is a plant that has anti-HIV properties," she said.

Eating herbs is one effort for patients to survive with an optimal body resistance by sticking to the procedures that have been established. Some plants that have properties to increase endurance, such as turmeric, temulawak, meniran, sambiloto and gotu kola.

"ARVs are hard drugs with many side effects, which need to be balanced with good nutrition and herbs, the long-term herbs' experience is very good as long as the hygiene of herbal sanitation is guaranteed," she said.